Caste: Difference between revisions
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{{nocasteism}} | |||
'''Caste''' or '''Caste systems''' are hereditary systems of social class in many parts of the world. This classification is based on social occupation, endogamy, social class, and social group. | '''Caste''' or '''Caste systems''' are hereditary systems of social class in many parts of the world. This classification is based on social occupation, endogamy, social class, and social group. | ||
Sikhism | Sikhism does not endorse caste based distinctions in society that lead to unequal opportunities for some people. In fact, Sikhism completely rejects class or race based distinctions between humans, that leads us to make an inequitable society. Such distinctions have surfaced only due to ill interests of certain section of people, who, on the pretext of making a society more manageable through these classifications, eventually paved the way to an unequal grouping within the human race. | ||
* Varna is a Sanskrit word which means character, quality or nature. Due to the polysemic nature of Sanskrit, one word can have many meanings. Varna can also mean colour or class. The commentary on the Varna system in the Manusmriti, Counter to these textual classifications, many Hindu texts and doctrines question and disagree with the Varna system of social classification. | |||
* Jāti is a group of clans, tribes, communities and sub communities, and religions in India. Each jāti typically has an association with a traditional job function or tribe and Religious beliefs, Indian society is even today an agglomeration of numerous castes, tribes and religious communities. The tribal and caste groups are endogamous, reproductively isolated populations traditionally distributed over a restricted geographical range. The different caste populations, unlike tribes, have extensive geographical overlap and members of several castes generally constitute the complex village society. | |||
* Backward Caste is independence of other backward classes were given Reservation status, guaranteeing political representation. The Constitution lays down the general principles of affirmative action, with other societal interests and to maintain standards of excellence. This would ensure quality and merit would not suffer. If any seats remain vacant after adopting such norms they shall be filled up by candidates from general categories. | |||
[[File:Sikh (Blue and Orange) Khanda.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Sikh (Blue and Orange) Khanda]] | |||
| | |||
[[File:Panj Pyare (Sikh).jpg|thumb|300px|right|Panj Pyare (Vaisakhi Mela)]] | |||
[[File:Sikh Symbol (5Ks).jpg|thumb|200px|right|Sikh Symbol (5Ks)]] | |||
[[File:Guru Granth Sahib.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Guru Granth Sahib (Gurbani)]] | |||
[[File:Koh i Noor (Sikh Precious Gem).jpg|thumb|200px|right|Koh i Noor (Sikh Precious Gem)]] | |||
[[File:PUNJAB.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Punjab (Sikh Country)]] | |||
==Religious Prohibition in Caste System== | |||
As per Caste System described in Manu Smriti, Shudra are considered as lowest caste and untouchable. The post-Vedic texts, particularly Manusmriti mentions outcastes and suggests that they be ostracized. They are: | |||
* Not required to observe any Vedic Rituals, | |||
* Not allowed to Study Vedas, | |||
* Not allowed to hear Sacred Chants of Vedas, | |||
* Not allowed to eat food with High Castes, | |||
* Not allowed to drink water from where High Caste fetch, | |||
* Not allowed to marry high castes, | |||
* If higher caste marries them; that person gets out casted, | |||
* Stay away from homes of higher caste people. | |||
* Introducing belief that low caste people did bad Karma in Past lives(was born Brahman in past life but ate meat so now he/she is Born Shudra(Low Caste). | |||
* More Fine payments by Lower castes in case of Crime. | |||
* Severe punishment to lower caste if he hurt high caste people but vice versa is not true. | |||
This system was forced on people by various Rigid Hindu Kings; who seek advice of Orthodox Brahmins; whom they respect the most and appointed as ministers. This lead to Exploitation of Weak, Disunity and Division of Loyalities, Foreign Domination, No Healthy exchange of knowledge and ideas, Untouchability and Low Self esteem. | |||
The people who want to take benefit from Religion were taken away from Spiritual Knowledge. This is considered as biggest Sin in Gurmat and such person is called ''In compassionate''. [[Sikh Bhagats]] started preaching against this mentality and proved that Religion have no relation with Jati. Thereafter Sikh Gurus preached equality to all. | |||
==Sikh Bhagats on Caste System== | |||
The attack on Caste System was initiated by Sikh Bhagats including [[Kabir]], [[Namdev]], [[Ravidas]], [[Dhanna]], [[Sain]] who belong to low caste, as per Hindu Society. | |||
====Bhagat Kabir==== | |||
* Kabir said his heart is dwells by Lord and social status is of no mean.<br> | |||
ਕਬੀਰ ਜਾਤਿ ਜੁਲਾਹਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਬਸੇ ਗੁਪਾਲ ॥ ਕਬੀਰ ਰਮਈਆ ਕੰਠਿ ਮਿਲੁ ਚੂਕਹਿ ਸਰਬ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥੮੨॥<br> | |||
Kabeer, what can my lowly status as a weaver do to me? The Lord dwells in my heart. Kabeer, the Lord hugs me close in His Embrace; I have forsaken all my entanglements. ||82|| | |||
====Bhagat Namdev==== | |||
* Bhagat Namdev States that he belong to low social class and he met lord:<br> | |||
ਹੀਨੜੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਦਿਮ ਰਾਇਆ ॥ ਛੀਪੇ ਕੇ ਜਨਮਿ ਕਾਹੇ ਕਉ ਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥<br> | |||
I am of a low social class, O Lord; why was I born into a family of fabric dyers? ||1||Pause|| | |||
====Bhagat Ravidas==== | |||
* Bhagat Ravidas also said that Head of Brahmins bows down before me because he achieve the salvation:<br> | |||
ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਕੁਟ ਬਾਂਢਲਾ ਢੋਰ ਢੋਵੰਤਾ ਨਿਤਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸੀ ਆਸ ਪਾਸਾ ॥ ਅਬ ਬਿਪ੍ਰ ਪਰਧਾਨ ਤਿਹਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਡੰਡਉਤਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਸਰਣਾਇ ਰਵਿਦਾਸੁ ਦਾਸਾ ॥੩॥੧॥<br> | |||
It is my occupation to prepare and cut leather; each day, I carry the carcasses out of the city. Now, the important Brahmins of the city bow down before me; Ravi Daas, Your slave, seeks the Sanctuary of Your Name. ||3||1|| | |||
The high priests had discussions with Bhagats on various aspects of Spirituality and found them far better and bow down to them. Bhagats wrote down the Hymns in praise of lord and against all corrupt practices in religion. | |||
==Sikh Heritage Colours== | |||
Blue and Orange - Sikh Colours, Khalsa Colours(Debatable) | |||
==Guru Gobind Singh and Khalsa== | |||
Guru Gobind Singh established Khalsa on will of Supreme. The 5 person are chosen to lead the Sikh Community; who will take all decisions related to Sikh and will protect Gurmat from any foreign intrusion. All 5 were belong to different caste, were given Pahul in Single utensil and named as ''Khalsa''. There is no belief of Caste System in Khalsa. Every one is open for attaining Spiritual Knowledge. | |||
{{Sects}} | |||
{{term}} | |||
{{Castes, Tribes & Other Social Groups}} | |||
[[category:Glossary of Sikh Terms]] | [[category:Glossary of Sikh Terms]] | ||
{{Sikhism}} | |||
Latest revision as of 01:55, 7 January 2024
|
Sikhism does not endorse caste based distinctions in society that lead to unequal opportunities for some people. In fact, Sikhism completely rejects class or race based distinctions between humans, that leads us to make an inequitable society. Such distinctions have surfaced only due to ill interests of certain section of people, who, on the pretext of making a society more manageable through these classifications, eventually paved the way to an unequal grouping within the human race. This article is just for information purpose and to share how people from different castes came into the Sikh fold. So, please treat this article as a source of general information about this issue and kindly do not amend this article to highlight this important underlying Sikh principle. If you have any comments, please discuss them appropriately here |
Caste or Caste systems are hereditary systems of social class in many parts of the world. This classification is based on social occupation, endogamy, social class, and social group.
Sikhism does not endorse caste based distinctions in society that lead to unequal opportunities for some people. In fact, Sikhism completely rejects class or race based distinctions between humans, that leads us to make an inequitable society. Such distinctions have surfaced only due to ill interests of certain section of people, who, on the pretext of making a society more manageable through these classifications, eventually paved the way to an unequal grouping within the human race.
- Varna is a Sanskrit word which means character, quality or nature. Due to the polysemic nature of Sanskrit, one word can have many meanings. Varna can also mean colour or class. The commentary on the Varna system in the Manusmriti, Counter to these textual classifications, many Hindu texts and doctrines question and disagree with the Varna system of social classification.
- Jāti is a group of clans, tribes, communities and sub communities, and religions in India. Each jāti typically has an association with a traditional job function or tribe and Religious beliefs, Indian society is even today an agglomeration of numerous castes, tribes and religious communities. The tribal and caste groups are endogamous, reproductively isolated populations traditionally distributed over a restricted geographical range. The different caste populations, unlike tribes, have extensive geographical overlap and members of several castes generally constitute the complex village society.
- Backward Caste is independence of other backward classes were given Reservation status, guaranteeing political representation. The Constitution lays down the general principles of affirmative action, with other societal interests and to maintain standards of excellence. This would ensure quality and merit would not suffer. If any seats remain vacant after adopting such norms they shall be filled up by candidates from general categories.
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Religious Prohibition in Caste System
As per Caste System described in Manu Smriti, Shudra are considered as lowest caste and untouchable. The post-Vedic texts, particularly Manusmriti mentions outcastes and suggests that they be ostracized. They are:
- Not required to observe any Vedic Rituals,
- Not allowed to Study Vedas,
- Not allowed to hear Sacred Chants of Vedas,
- Not allowed to eat food with High Castes,
- Not allowed to drink water from where High Caste fetch,
- Not allowed to marry high castes,
- If higher caste marries them; that person gets out casted,
- Stay away from homes of higher caste people.
- Introducing belief that low caste people did bad Karma in Past lives(was born Brahman in past life but ate meat so now he/she is Born Shudra(Low Caste).
- More Fine payments by Lower castes in case of Crime.
- Severe punishment to lower caste if he hurt high caste people but vice versa is not true.
This system was forced on people by various Rigid Hindu Kings; who seek advice of Orthodox Brahmins; whom they respect the most and appointed as ministers. This lead to Exploitation of Weak, Disunity and Division of Loyalities, Foreign Domination, No Healthy exchange of knowledge and ideas, Untouchability and Low Self esteem.
The people who want to take benefit from Religion were taken away from Spiritual Knowledge. This is considered as biggest Sin in Gurmat and such person is called In compassionate. Sikh Bhagats started preaching against this mentality and proved that Religion have no relation with Jati. Thereafter Sikh Gurus preached equality to all.
Sikh Bhagats on Caste System
The attack on Caste System was initiated by Sikh Bhagats including Kabir, Namdev, Ravidas, Dhanna, Sain who belong to low caste, as per Hindu Society.
Bhagat Kabir
- Kabir said his heart is dwells by Lord and social status is of no mean.
ਕਬੀਰ ਜਾਤਿ ਜੁਲਾਹਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੈ ਹਿਰਦੈ ਬਸੇ ਗੁਪਾਲ ॥ ਕਬੀਰ ਰਮਈਆ ਕੰਠਿ ਮਿਲੁ ਚੂਕਹਿ ਸਰਬ ਜੰਜਾਲ ॥੮੨॥
Kabeer, what can my lowly status as a weaver do to me? The Lord dwells in my heart. Kabeer, the Lord hugs me close in His Embrace; I have forsaken all my entanglements. ||82||
Bhagat Namdev
- Bhagat Namdev States that he belong to low social class and he met lord:
ਹੀਨੜੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਦਿਮ ਰਾਇਆ ॥ ਛੀਪੇ ਕੇ ਜਨਮਿ ਕਾਹੇ ਕਉ ਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
I am of a low social class, O Lord; why was I born into a family of fabric dyers? ||1||Pause||
Bhagat Ravidas
- Bhagat Ravidas also said that Head of Brahmins bows down before me because he achieve the salvation:
ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਕੁਟ ਬਾਂਢਲਾ ਢੋਰ ਢੋਵੰਤਾ ਨਿਤਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸੀ ਆਸ ਪਾਸਾ ॥ ਅਬ ਬਿਪ੍ਰ ਪਰਧਾਨ ਤਿਹਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਡੰਡਉਤਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਸਰਣਾਇ ਰਵਿਦਾਸੁ ਦਾਸਾ ॥੩॥੧॥
It is my occupation to prepare and cut leather; each day, I carry the carcasses out of the city. Now, the important Brahmins of the city bow down before me; Ravi Daas, Your slave, seeks the Sanctuary of Your Name. ||3||1||
The high priests had discussions with Bhagats on various aspects of Spirituality and found them far better and bow down to them. Bhagats wrote down the Hymns in praise of lord and against all corrupt practices in religion.
Sikh Heritage Colours
Blue and Orange - Sikh Colours, Khalsa Colours(Debatable)
Guru Gobind Singh and Khalsa
Guru Gobind Singh established Khalsa on will of Supreme. The 5 person are chosen to lead the Sikh Community; who will take all decisions related to Sikh and will protect Gurmat from any foreign intrusion. All 5 were belong to different caste, were given Pahul in Single utensil and named as Khalsa. There is no belief of Caste System in Khalsa. Every one is open for attaining Spiritual Knowledge.
